The captain glanced at the paper.
“I see nothing but paper.”
“Yes, but it—er—it had something written on it awhile ago,” stammered Pepper.
“Maybe you’ve got the wrong paper,” suggested Jack.
“I don’t think so.” The Imp began to search his pockets. “No, this is the right one.”
“Then it was written in evaporating ink,” said the young major. “It’s a trick,” he murmured to his chum.
“Faded out, and so soon,” murmured Pepper. “That stumps me!”
“Why do not you two boys explain?” went on Captain Putnam.
“I do not believe they can explain,” put in Josiah Crabtree, who stood near. “They have been up to mischief. More than likely they set the boathouse on fire.”
“It isn’t so!” cried Jack.